In this series of brief blog posts on “Tools and Practices,” I want to share several simple tools and practices I use to introduce and work on the level of harmonic vibrancy experienced in a group. I have applied them during several workshops at companies, civil society organizations and two university classes I was teaching. I will share them one by one, always using the same format.

Most of them are based on the tools and images provided in the Ecosynomics e-course. Some of them are a creative merger of tools and practices like Appreciative Inquiry, Theory U, Learning Organization, Design Thinking, Empowerment Didactics and many others, with the frameworks and tools of Ecosynomics.

Perceived Reality Check-In

This method is adopted from a method created by my colleagues at www.scgroup.mx. The image shows the German version of the five primary relationships (x-axis) and the three levels of perceived reality (y-axis). The original image is provided in chapter 6 of the Ecosynomics e-course.

Short description: This check-in is a practice to intentionally set a starting point for the further process. After a short explanation of the five dimensions, we ask the participants to put one adhesive dot on each of the five primary relationships. Consequently, the exercise helps bring out information about the perceived level of vibrancy of the group. It also helps to visualize the issues that might be ‘in the room’ and to create an atmosphere of shared intention, inclusion, and transparency. In case the group did the free online survey in advance, this exercise helps to get a first “self-made” image of the data which can then be introduced at a later stage. It supports the group to create an emotional connection to the very cognitive-scientific visualization of the survey data. Click here for the facilitator’s guide of this exercise in the long version.

Purpose and expected learning outcomes:Thecheck-in helps participants to arrive at full presence and to focus on the content of the process. It has the potential to deepen the interaction of the group by allowing the participants to share and compare their perception of the vibrancy of the group in a simple and fast way. Participants learn: